April 2021 Newsletter


Hi neighbors!

Office on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing: In our first resolution of 2021, ANC 6A asked Mayor Bowser and the DC Council to fully fund a new DC Office on the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (ODBH). I was proud to write this resolution and am grateful to everybody who supported us in the last election and helped make this step possible. The resolution text also touches on some fun DC Deaf history and neighborhood history.

DC Streetcar Extension: ANC 6A also passed another resolution I introduced asking to extend the DC Streetcar to Benning Road Metro Station and Georgetown. Thank you to the Ward 7 Friends of the DC Streetcar for drafting this resolution and especially ANC 7E06 Commissioner Delia Houseal, who spoke at our meeting on how the Streetcar extension would advance equity in connecting our neighborhoods’ job opportunities and grocery stores.

Deeply Affordable Housing: In April, ANC 6A also voted to require that the developer of a new apartment building at 1701 H St NE include units available at 30% Median Family Income (MFI) before they earn our support for their project. Commissioner Phillips-Gilbert and I went back and forth with the developer for some time over this topic in multiple meetings because the developer repeatedly asserted that it was not economically viable for them to include this level of affordable housing. Fortunately, ANC 6A persisted and we ultimately reached this understanding with the developer. New housing built at 80% MFI or 50% MFI often is not affordable enough. I will continue to advocate for our neighborhood including a diverse range of incomes. 

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Tennessee Ave Advisory Bike Lanes coming soon: In the next few weeks, the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) will install a traffic calming project on Tennessee Ave between East Capitol and 15th Streets NE. The goal is to reduce speeds and improve safety for all users, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. 

The project includes: 

  • Upgrades to crosswalks and intersections to improve sightlines and bring setbacks up to current safety code (typically 25 feet for crosswalks and 10 feet for alleys); 
  • Installation of advisory bike lanes on TN Ave between Constitution and 15th St NE; and
  • Installation of a contra-flow bike lane and sharrows on the 100 block of TN Ave NE.

How Did We Get Here?

In January 2019, following the recommendation of the Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee and requests from residents, our Commission requested traffic calming on TN Ave. 

In September 2020, DDOT issued a public Notice of Intent requesting comments from residents and the Commission. DDOT also attended the September TPS Committee meeting to present the project. The Committee voted to recommend that DDOT implement the project (minutes here). 

On October 1, 2020, Commissioner Gove held an informal site visit with DDOT along with 50 or so neighbors to gather additional input. On October 8, the Commission voted to send DDOT a letter of support. The Commission also requested speed humps and raised crosswalks and “minimization of any loss in linear feet of parking other than sightline setbacks required to protect vulnerable users.” The PTAs of both Maury and Miner Elementary Schools also sent letters of support for the project.

How Do Advisory Bike Lanes Work?

Visit https://www.advisorybikelanes.com/ to see a video of this type of bike lane in action. Advisory bike lanes already exist on E St SE between Potomac Ave and Pennsylvania Ave SE. We encourage folks to drive/walk/bike this segment of E St SE to see how it works.

How Does a Contra-flow Bike Lane Work? Contra-flow bike lanes have been used in DC since about 2010. The nearest contra-flow lane is on G St NE between 2nd and 13th Streets. DDOT reports that these lanes are safer than painted bike lanes and are one of the safest patterns they can apply to existing roadways (other than protected lanes). 

How Do Sharrows Work?

Sharrows are painted symbols in the lane of travel designed to indicate to drivers and cyclists that they should share the lane. 

Are There More Opportunities for Public Input?

Yes. You can participate in the ANC 6A TPS Committee on May 17 at 7:00pm. ANC 6A will post the agenda and Zoom link under https://anc6a.org/agendas/, and issue public notice of the meeting via all of our usual communication methods, including the ANC 6A Google Group, New Hill East listserv, ANC 6A Facebook Group, Twitter, and print and online editions of the Hill Rag. 

The DDOT project lead, Will Handsfield, will attend the May 17 TPS meeting to address the ANC’s previous requests for additional speed humps, stop signs, and additional traffic calming measures for TN Ave NE. This meeting will be an opportunity for neighbors to provide input. Please also feel free to contact Will directly at William.Handsfield2@dc.gov.

What Are the Next Steps?

In the coming weeks, please keep an eye out for no parking signs and be sure to move your vehicle when notified. To improve visibility and safety for all users, we are also asking homeowners with corner lots to please help by trimming hedges along the sidewalk to 3 feet (details here).

How Can I Learn More About This Project?

Go to https://wiki.ddot.dc.gov/display/NOI/NOI-20-79-PSD – and see an example of existing advisory bicycle lanes on E St SE between Pennsylvania Ave/Potomac Ave.  

 How Can I Stay Informed?

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